MIAMI – A teenager was hospitalized and two people were arrested after a shooting in northwest Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade police Sgt. John Barrow said a 15-year-old was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center with gunshot wounds Tuesday night.
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Barrow said the teen was shot after being involved in a "verbal dispute" with two men near 5078 NW 195th Lane. He was listed in stable condition Tuesday night.
Christopher Vazquez, 18, and Taurean Isaac Pitts, 21, were taken into custody Wednesday morning by officers. Investigators believe Vazquez was the gunman who shot the teen.
He faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence.
According to an arrest report, the suspects were hanging out at Vazquez's home playing video games when the victim walked up to the home and entered the front gate.
A witness told officers that he heard Vazquez arguing with the victim before the teen ran into the street, followed by Vazquez ,who was firing a gun at the victim.
The witness said Vazquez yelled at the victim, "Your people tried to rob me."
Police said Vazquez claimed that his neighbor, who lives with the victim, told him that members of her family were planning on burglarizing his home because he had money and marijuana inside.
Vazquez told officers that he saw the victim outside of his home and warned him, "Whatever you are thinking about doing, don't."
According to the report, the victim took off his shirt, signaling that he wanted to fight Vazquez. Vazquez told officers that he grabbed his handgun and racked the slide back to intimidate the victim, but the victim refused to leave.
Vazquez said he fired once at the victim, striking him in the stomach. He said the teen was able to stand up and continued walking toward him, so he continued firing at him.
Vazquez told officers that he was unsure how many bullets struck the victim.
Police said Pitts, who was also at the home, admitted to hiding the gun and marijuana at his home in an effort to protect his friend.
Police said 65 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and more than $12,000 in cash were found inside Pitts' bedroom.
He faces a charge of tampering with physical evidence, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Wednesday, Vazquez was ordered to be held in jail on $20,000 bail plus house arrest when released. Pitts was ordered held on $11,000 bail with house arrest pending release.
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